Systems and methods for providing category-sensitive chat channels

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are provided for providing category-sensitive chat channels. A category-sensitive chat channel may be provided. The category-sensitive chat channel may be assigned a given category level. The given category level may determine a scope of content allowed in the category-sensitive chat channel. Information to be posted through the category-sensitive chat channel may be obtained. The obtained information may be filtered based on the given category level. The filtered information may be posted in the category-sensitive chat channel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/159,081, filed Jan. 26, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/276,019, filed Feb. 14, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No.10,904,024, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/826,441, filed Nov. 29, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,250,401, thecontents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entiretyinto the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to approaches for providing category-sensitivechat channels.

BACKGROUND

Under conventional approaches, people may wish to use an electronicspace to share messages, documents, objects, and/or other information.Sensitivity of information to be shared may require restricting accessto such information to various authorized users or groups of users.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include systems,methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured toprovide category-sensitive chat channels. Various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may include systems, methods, and non-transitorycomputer readable media configured to provide a category-sensitive chatchannel. The category-sensitive chat channel may be assigned a givencategory level. The given category level may determine a scope ofcontent allowed in the category-sensitive chat channel. Information tobe posted through the category-sensitive chat channel may be obtained.The obtained information may be filtered based on the given categorylevel. The filtered information may be posted in the category-sensitivechat channel.

In some embodiments, the given category level may be a securityclassification level or a sensitivity classification level. Informationposted in the category-sensitive chat channel may be assigned the givencategory level.

In some embodiments, the given category level may be a level within ahierarchy of category levels and filtering the obtained informationbased on the given category level may include filtering out informationabove the given category level.

In some embodiments, the category-sensitive chat channel may be part ofthreaded category-sensitive chat channels. The threadedcategory-sensitive chat channels may include a first category-sensitivechat channel assigned a first category level and a secondcategory-sensitive chat channel assigned a second category level. Thesecond category level may be higher than the first category level suchthat information posted in the first category-sensitive chat channel isvisible in the second category-sensitive chat channel.

In some embodiments, a preview of the filtered information may beprovided prior to posting the filtered information in thecategory-sensitive chat channel.

In some embodiments, the category-sensitive chat channel may have one ormore administrative users and one or more participating users.

These and other features of the systems, methods, and non-transitorycomputer readable media disclosed herein, as well as the methods ofoperation and functions of the related elements of structure and thecombination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become moreapparent upon consideration of the following description and theappended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all ofwhich form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes ofillustration and description only and are not intended as a definitionof the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain features of various embodiments of the present technology areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. A betterunderstanding of the features and advantages of the technology will beobtained by reference to the following detailed description that setsforth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the inventionare utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment for providingcategory-sensitive chat channels, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates example chat channels and category levels, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates example chat channels and category levels, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example interface for using a category-sensitivechat channel, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer system inwhich any of the embodiments described herein may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A claimed solution rooted in computer technology overcomes problemsspecifically arising in the realm of computer technology. In variousimplementations, a computing system (e.g., server) may provide access toone or more category-sensitive chat channels. A category-sensitive chatsoftware application may be used (e.g., by one or more computing/clientdevices) to access a number of different category-sensitive chatchannels through the computing system. In some instances, one or morecategory-sensitive chat channels may be assigned a given category level(e.g., security classification level, sensitivity classification level)that may be used to determine the scope of content that may be postedin, or shared through, the category-sensitive chat channel(s). The givencategory level may be displayed/indicated in the category-sensitive chatchannel. For example, a channel identifier may be identified in agraphical user interface through which the category-sensitive chatchannel is being accessed. In this example, the interface may include abanner in which channel information (including the given category levelof the channel) is displayed.

In various embodiments, content (or information) being posted in, orshared through, the category-sensitive chat channel may be filteredbased at least in part on the category level associated with thecategory-sensitive chat channel. In various embodiments, content thatsatisfies the category level associated with the category-sensitive chatchannel may be shared through the category-sensitive chat channel whileany content that fails to satisfy the category level may be preventedfrom being shared through the category-sensitive chat channel. In someembodiments, the given category level may be a level within a hierarchyof category levels. In such embodiments, filtering content based on thegiven category level may include filtering out content above the givencategory level (e.g., filtering out content that is of highersecurity/sensitivity classification level than the category levelassociated with the category-sensitive chat channel). In someembodiments, content posted in the category-sensitive chat channel mayautomatically be assigned (or re-assigned) the category level associatedwith the category-sensitive chat channel.

Users may use the category-sensitive chat channel to restrict posting ofinformation above the given category level and to prevent unauthorizedsharing of classified/sensitive information. In various embodiments, thecategory-sensitive chat channel may allow users to freely shareinformation without being concerned about other users' access privilegessince the category-sensitive chat channel's corresponding category levelis used to automatically filter content based on the content'srespective security/sensitivity classification level.

The category sensitive chat channel may be part of threaded categorysensitive chat channels. The threaded category-sensitive chat channelsmay include multiple category-sensitive chat channels, with individualcategory-sensitive chat channels being assigned different categorylevels. For example, the threaded category-sensitive chat channels mayinclude a first category-sensitive chat channel assigned a firstcategory level and a second category-sensitive chat channel assigned asecond category level higher than the first category level. Suchthreading of category-sensitive chat channels may allow for differentviews of information posted to the category-sensitive chat channels. Inthe foregoing example, any content posted in the firstcategory-sensitive chat channel would be visible in the secondcategory-sensitive chat channel while certain content (e.g., contentthat is assigned the second category level) posted in the secondcategory-sensitive chat channel would not be visible in the firstcategory-sensitive chat channel.

The computing system may provide a preview of the filtered information(content) prior to posting the filtered information in thecategory-sensitive chat channel. A preview of the filtered informationmay redact/mark/highlight certain pieces of information to be filtered.A preview of the filtered information may be used as a finalconfirmation before the information is posted. In some embodiments, auser may be asked to provide input as part of the final confirmation. Insuch embodiments, the user may decide to prevent sharing of certaininformation based on redaction/marking/highlighting in the preview orthe user may confirm the classification of the content beingshared/confirm posting of the filtered information.

The category-sensitive chat channel may have one or more administrativeusers (e.g., chat owners) and one or more participating users (e.g.,chat members). Administrative users may invite one or more users tobecome administrative users or participating users. Administrative usersmay change a participating user into an administrative user.Administrative users may change the given category level of thecategory-sensitive chat channel. For example, the given category levelmay be raised and users without sufficient access privileges may beremoved from the category-sensitive chat channel. Administrative usersmay create new category-sensitive chat channels. For example, a newcategory-sensitive chat channel with a different category level may beadded to threaded category sensitive chat channels so that users mayview information posted to the chat using different category levels. Acategory-sensitive chat channel may be configured as an open chat (e.g.,users may join the chat channel by finding the chat using a search) or aclosed chat (e.g., users may join the chat channel only by invitation).

The approaches disclosed herein enable the use of classification-aware(e.g., security-aware, sensitivity-aware) chats/channels thatautomatically prevent users from sharing information with others who arenot authorized to see the information. Such filtering of informationenables users to share information without having knowledge of otherusers' access privileges. The approaches disclosed herein provide forenforcement of a given category level on the information posted in thechats/channels by restricting the scope of content posted in thechats/channels. The approaches disclosed herein enable users to shareinformation at a given category level. For example, a user may wish toshare information at a lower category level than the user has access(e.g., to see the type of information available to other users withdifferent access to information). The approaches disclosed hereinprovide a tool by which users may check on the classification ofinformation to be shared. For example, a preview of information to beposted in the chat/channel may indicate different classification levelswithin the information. As another example, a user may be invited tojoin a chat/channel of a given category level. The user may not havereceived proper authorization to access information assigned the givencategory level and may be prohibited from accessing the chat/channel.Based on the user's inability to access the chat/channel, the user maybe instructed to obtained the proper authorization.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 for providingcategory-sensitive chat channels, in accordance with variousembodiments. The example environment 100 may include a computing system102. The computing system 102 may include one or more processors andmemory. The processor(s) may be configured to perform various operationsby interpreting machine-readable instructions stored in the memory. Theenvironment 100 may also include one or more datastores that areaccessible to the computing system 102 (e.g., via one or morenetwork(s)). In some embodiments, the datastore(s) may include variousdatabases, application functionalities, application/data packages,and/or other data that are available for download, installation, and/orexecution.

In various embodiments, the computing system 102 may include a chatengine 112, an obtain engine 114, a filter engine 116, a post engine118, and/or other engines. While the computing system 102 is shown inFIG. 1 as a single entity, this is merely for ease of reference and isnot meant to be limiting. One or more components/functionalities of thecomputing system 102 described herein may be implemented, in whole or inpart, within a single computing device or multiple computing devices.

In various embodiments, the chat engine 112 is configured to provide oneor more category-sensitive chat channels. A chat (or chat session) mayrefer to a type of communication over the network that providesreal-time/close to real-time transmission of messages between users ofthe chat. Messages may include visual information (e.g., text, icon,symbol, image, video, graph), audio information (e.g., audio, soundclips), and/or other information. Messages may include one or moretopics/subjects. For example, a message posted using a chat may includeinformation about/relating to a person/thing, a location, a map, agraph, a media item (e.g., picture, sound clip, presentation, video),and/or other text/data objects.

A chat channel may refer to a particular portion of a chat. For example,a chat may be formed to discuss one or more topics (such as a particularperson, object, artifact, and/or search) and the chat may include (or beassociated with) one or more channels to view particular aspects/typesof information posted within the chat. As another example, a chat may beformed to discuss a general topic and the chat may include (or beassociated with) one or more channels that each correspond to a specifictopic/sub-topic of the general topic. In some embodiments, a chat mayinclude a single channel.

A category-sensitive chat channel may refer to a channel that isassigned a given category-level. The given category level may determinethe scope of content allowed in the category-sensitive chat channel. Thegiven category level may be a security classification level or asensitivity classification level. Other types of category/classificationlevels are contemplated. The given category level may be used todetermine the scope of content/information that may be posted in, orshared through, the category-sensitive chat channel. For example, thegiven category level may be used to determine whether certainvisual/audio/other information to be posted to the category-sensitivechat channel should be filtered (e.g., redacted) prior to posting orshould be rejected from being posted.

The given category level of a category-sensitive chat channel may bedisplayed/indicated in the category-sensitive chat channel. For example,a channel identifier (e.g., channel name) may be identified in agraphical user interface through which the category-sensitive chatchannel is being accessed. In this example, the user interface mayinclude a banner in which channel information (including the givencategory level of the channel) is displayed. Such presentation of thegiven category level may provide a reminder to the user(s) of thecategory-sensitive chat channel as to the scope of content to be sharedwithin the category-sensitive chat channel.

In some embodiments, a given category level of a category-sensitive chatchannel may be a level within a hierarchy of category levels. Ahierarchy of category levels may include multiple levels of categorylevels with different category levels that are ordered/ranked such thata higher category level includes a lower category level. A highercategory level may refer to a category level with more strictsecurity/sensitivity classification than a lower category level. Forexample, a “Top Secret” level may be treated as a higher category levelthan a “Secret” level. Further, a “Highly Confidential” level may be ahigher category level than a “Confidential” level. Other hierarchy ofcategory levels are contemplated.

In some embodiments, a category-sensitive chat channel may be part ofthreaded category-sensitive chat channels. Threaded category-sensitivechat channels may include multiple category-sensitive chat channels,with individual category-sensitive chat channels being assigneddifferent category levels. Threaded category-sensitive chat channels mayinclude one or more channels that are nested with another channel. Forexample, threaded category-sensitive chat channels may include a firstcategory-sensitive chat channel assigned a first category level and asecond category-sensitive chat channel assigned a second category level.The second category level may be higher than the first category level.The first category-sensitive chat channel may be nested within thesecond category-sensitive chat channel. Such threading ofcategory-sensitive chat channels may allow for different views ofinformation posted to the category-sensitive chat channels. Forinstance, in the foregoing example, any content posted in the firstcategory-sensitive chat channel may be visible in the secondcategory-sensitive chat channel while certain content (e.g., contentthat is assigned the second category level) posted in the secondcategory-sensitive chat channel may not be visible in the firstcategory-sensitive chat channel.

The chat engine 112 may provide the category-sensitive chat channel(s)for access by one or more users. For example, the computing system 102may include a server and the category-sensitive chat channel(s) may beprovided for access by one or more users of the computing system 102and/or one or more users of computing/client device(s) (e.g., desktopdevice, mobile device) communicating with the computing system 102. Acategory-sensitive chat software application (e.g., desktopapplication/plugin, web browser application/plugin) may be used (by thecomputing system 102 and/or one or more computing/client devices) toaccess one or more category-sensitive chat channels provided by thecomputing system 102.

Interfaces (e.g., user interfaces of a category-sensitive chat softwareapplication) for chats/channels may provide information regarding thechats/channels. For example, a user interface for a chat/channel mayprovide information relating to the user, identity of other users/teamsof users within the chat/channel, one or more projects to which thetopic/chat/channel relates (e.g., identification of an investigation forwhich the topic is of interest), and/or other information. The userinterface for a chat/channel may enable a user to search for particularinformation within the chat/channel, filter the information postedwithin the chat/channel (e.g., based on a post being pinned, mentioningan object/map/graph, etc.). The user interface for a chat/channel mayprovide alerts relating to new messages (e.g., number of messages notyet read by a user) and/or provide information relating to thenumber/identities of users who have viewed/interacted with a particularmessage/feed. The user interface for a chat/channel may enable a user tocustomize views of one or more chats/channels, such as by adding one ormore feeds (e.g., object feeds, map feeds, graph feeds, document feeds,search feeds) to the user interface. In some embodiments, one or morechats/channels may allow for one-way peering. For example, a single chatmay include two separate channels on different networks, with one of thechannels having a view of the information posted in the other channel.

In some embodiments, different interfaces may be provided forchats/channels of different topics. For example, a person-centricchat/channel may provide for a shared space within which to postinformation about one or more persons. The user interface for theperson-centric chat/channel may be organized to highlight informationabout the one or more persons. As another example, an object-centricchat/channel may provide for a shared space within which to postinformation about one or more objects. The user interface for theobject-centric chat/channel may be organized to highlight informationabout the one or more objects. Other functionalities for the userinterface and types of user interfaces for other topics (e.g.,artifact-centric chat/channel, search-centric chat/channel) arecontemplated.

The computing/client devices may communicate with the computing system102 using one or more protocols (communication protocol, securityprotocol, authorization/authentication protocol). Based on a user'scredentials, the chat engine 112 may provide access to differentcategory-sensitive chat channels to the user's computing/client device.For example, the user's credentials may be used to determine to whichchats/channels the user has authorization. Based on the user'scredentials, the chat engine 112 may provide to the user'scomputing/client device access to particular chat(s)/channel(s). Forexample, the chat engine 112 may provide access to thecategory-sensitive chat channels that fall within thesecurity/sensitivity classification level of the user as determinedbased on the user's credentials and/or other information.

In some embodiments, a category-sensitive chat channel may be configuredas an open chat or a closed chat. An open chat channel may refer to achannel that may be accessible to users regardless of their membershipin the channel. An open chat channel may be joined by a user based onthe user searching for the channel, finding the channel, and requestingaccess/membership. For example, a user that has logged into thecomputing system 102 may be allowed to search for opencategory-sensitive chat channels based on name of the channel, topic ofthe channel, users of the channel, properties of the channel, and/orother information.

A closed channel may refer to a channel that may not be listed in searchresults and/or may only allow new users to join via an invite. Closedcategory-sensitive chat channels may be restricted from appearing withinsearch results for chat channels. For example, closed category-sensitivechat channels may not appear as a search result for chat channel eventhough its name/topic/users/properties match the search criteria. Insome embodiments, closed category-sensitive chat channels may appear insearches conducted by existing users (e.g., owners, members) of theclosed category-sensitive chat channels.

In some embodiments, a category-sensitive chat channel may have one ormore administrative users (e.g., chat owners) and one or moreparticipating users (e.g., chat members). A participating user may referto a user whose access to the category-sensitive chat channel includesaccessing (or viewing) content/information posted in thecategory-sensitive chat channel. A participating user's access to thecategory-sensitive chat channel may include permissions for postingcontent/information in the category-sensitive chat channel. In someembodiments, a participating user's access to the category-sensitivechat channel may include permissions for modifying information posted inthe category-sensitive chat channel. For example, a participating usermay modify the user's own posts (e.g., edit text included in the user'smessage posted in the channel) and/or modify other users' posts (e.g.,modify an object inserted in the channel by another user, enablingcollaboration between multiple users).

An administrative user may refer to a user whose access to thecategory-sensitive chat channel includes permissions for managing thecategory-sensitive chat channel. For example, an administrative user maybe able to perform one or more of changing a membership of the channel(e.g., adding/removing a participating user, adding/removing anadministrative user), changing category level of the channel,adding/removing/changing a channel, controlling one or more visualaspects of the channel (e.g., setting/changing feed criteria), and/orother management of the category-sensitive chat channel. For example, anadministrative user may invite one or more users as administrative usersor participating users. An administrative user may change aparticipating user into an administrative user. An administrative usermay change the given category level of the category-sensitive chatchannel. For example, the given category level may be raised andexisting users without sufficient access privileges may be removed fromthe category-sensitive chat channel. As another example, a new threadedcategory-sensitive chat channel with a different category level may beadded to threaded category sensitive chat channels so that users mayview information posted to the chat using different category levels.Such may allow for the continued use of the exiting channel(s) and a newview of posted information using the newly created channel.

In various embodiments, the obtain engine 114 is configured to obtaininformation to be posted through a category-sensitive chat channel. Theinformation to be posted through the category-sensitive chat channel maybe obtained directly at the computing system 102 (e.g., received from auser using the computing system 102) or received from another computingdevice (e.g., received from a user using a computing/client device thatcommunicates with the computing system 102). For example, a user may usea computing/client device that runs a category-sensitive chat softwareapplication. In this example, the software application may be used bythe user to provide information (e.g., text, images, videos, audio,object data, etc.) to be posted through the category-sensitive chatchannel. The information provided by the user may be obtained by theobtain engine 114, for example, over a network. The information providedby the user may be obtained by the obtain engine 114 in a singlecommunication or over multiple communications.

The information provided by the user may include structured data, whichmay include information/tags on the secure/sensitive nature of theinformation/portion(s) of the information. Such security/sensitivityinformation/tags may be used to determine how the provided informationshould be posted in the category-sensitive chat channel. For example,the information provided by the user may include data (e.g., graphs,maps, documents, objects) with redactable portions. The redactableportions may be associated/tagged with particular security/sensitivityclassification. The redactable portions may be filtered based on theclassification of the redactable portions and the category level of thecategory-sensitive chat channel in which the information is to beposted.

In various embodiments, the filter engine 116 is configured to filterthe obtained information based on the given category level of thecategory-sensitive chat channel and/or other information. The filterengine 116 may redact and/or mark for redaction one or more portions ofthe obtained information (content to be posted) based at least in parton the given category level associated with the category-sensitive chatchannel in which the obtained information is to be posted. For example,the filter engine 116 may remove/mark as to be removed the portion(s) ofthe obtained information (content) that fails to satisfy the givencategory level (preventing such content from being shared through thecategory-sensitive chat channel) while leaving intact the portion(s) ofthe obtained information that satisfy the given category level (allowingsuch content to be shared through the category-sensitive chat channel).

For example, the given category level may be a level within a hierarchyof category levels and the filter engine 116 may filter portions of theobtained information that are classified above the given category level(e.g., filtering out content is that of higher security/sensitivityclassification level than the category level associated with thecategory-sensitive chat channel). As another example, thecategory-sensitive chat channel may be part of threadedcategory-sensitive chat channels, and the filter engine 116 may filterthe obtained information differently based on the different categorylevels of the threaded category-sensitive chat channels (e.g., filteringout certain portion of the content before sharing within one threadedcategory-sensitive chat channel while leaving the certain portion of thecontent for sharing within another threaded category-sensitive chatchannel).

In various embodiments, the post engine 118 is configured to post thefiltered information in the category-sensitive chat channel. That is,the post engine 118 may post the obtained content after the content hasbeen redacted for viewing/sharing based on the given category level ofthe category-sensitive chat channel. In some embodiments, content postedin the category-sensitive chat channel may automatically be assigned (orre-assigned) the category level associated with the category-sensitivechat channel. For example, content posted in the category-sensitive chatchannel assigned a “Top Secret” classification may beassigned/re-assigned the Top Secret classification. Such assignment ofthe given category level may prevent unauthorized sharing of informationposted in the category-sensitive chat channel. For example, informationposted in the Top Secret category-sensitive chat channel may not beshared in a “Secret” category-sensitive chat channel (e.g., a user isnot allowed to copy and paste a message from a Top Secretcategory-sensitive chat to a Secret category-sensitive chat channel).

In some embodiments, the post engine 118 may be configured to provide apreview of the filtered information prior to posting the filteredinformation in the category-sensitive chat channel. A preview of thefiltered information may redact/mark/highlight certain pieces ofinformation to be filtered. A preview of the filtered information mayprovide a view of how the obtained information may look once posted inthe category-sensitive chat channel. For example, a user may provide adata object for posting in the category-sensitive chat channel and thepost engine 118 may provide a redacted version of the data object forviewing by the user before the redacted version of the data object isposted in the category-sensitive chat channel. As another example, thepost engine 118 may mark (e.g., highlight) one or more portions of thedata object to indicate the classification of the portion(s). A previewof the filtered information may be used as a confirmation before theinformation is posted. A preview of the filtered information may be usedas a check on the classification of the information. For example, thepreview may alert a user that a classification in the information to beposted may be incorrect or alert a user that the information to beshared falls outside the given category level of the category-sensitivechat channel.

In some embodiments, a user may be asked to provide input as part of aconfirmation (e.g., clicking a button, entering one or more keys toconfirm the posting) before information is posted in acategory-sensitive chat channel. In such embodiments, the user maydecide to prevent sharing of certain information in thecategory-sensitive chat channel based on redaction/marking/highlightingin the preview or the user may confirm the classification of the contentbeing shared/confirm posting of the filtered information.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example chat A 200, in accordance with variousembodiments. The chat A 200 may include three chat channels: a channelA-1 202, a channel A-2 204, and a channel A-3 206. The channel A-1 202may be assigned a category level A. The channel A-2 204 may be assigneda category level B. The channel A-3 206 may be assigned a category levelC. The category levels A, B, and C may determine the scope of contentallowed in the channels 202, 204, 206, respectively. The category levelsA, B, and C may be levels within a hierarchy of category levels. Thecategory levels A, B, and C may be ordered/ranked such that categorylevel A is higher than both category level B and category level C, andcategory level B is higher than category level C, for example.

The channels 202, 204, 206 may be part of threaded category-sensitivechat channels. The threaded category-sensitive chat channels may includethe channel A-3 206 nested within the channel A-2 204, and the channelA-2 204 nested within the channel A-1 202. Based on the hierarchy ofcategory levels A, B, and C, any content posted in the channel A-3 206may be visible within the channel A-2 204 and the channel A-1 202.Further, any content posted in the channel A-2 204 may be visible withinthe channel A-1 202 but not within the channel A-3 206. In someembodiments, certain content (e.g., content that is classified as thecategory level B) posted in the channel A-2 204 is not visible in thechannel A-3 206. Further, in such embodiments, certain content (e.g.,content that is classified as the category level A) posted in thechannel A-1 202 is not visible in the channel A-2 204 or channel A-3206. Other threaded category-sensitive channels and other categorylevels are contemplated.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example chat B 250, in accordance with variousembodiments. The chat B 250 may include three chat channels: a channelB-1 252, a channel B-2 254, and a channel B-3 256. The channel B-1 252may be assigned a category level 1. The channel B-2 254 may be assigneda category level 2. The channel B-3 256 may be assigned a category level3. The category levels 1, 2, and 3 may determine the scope of contentallowed in the channels 252, 254, 256, respectively. The category levels1, 2, and 3 may be levels within a hierarchy of category levels. Thecategory levels 1, 2, and 3 may be ordered/ranked such that the categorylevel 1 is higher than both the category level 2 and the category level3. The category levels 2 and 3 may not include any overlaps. That is,information within the category level 2 may not fall within the categorylevel 3, and vice versa. In some embodiments, the category levels 2 and3 may include one or more overlaps. That is, some information may fallwithin both category level 2 and category level 3.

The channels 252, 254, 256 may be part of threaded category-sensitivechat channels. The threaded category-sensitive chat channels may includethe channel B-2 254 and the channel B-3 256 nested within the channelB-1 252. Based on the hierarchy of category levels 1, 2, and 3, in thisexample, any content posted in the channel B-2 254 or the channel B-3256 is visible within the channel B-1 252. Further, in this example,certain content posted in the channel B-1 252 is not visible in thechannel B-2 254. Similarly, certain content posted in the channel B-1252 is not visible in the channel B-3 256. Content posted in the channelB-2 254 is not visible in the channel B-3 256. Also, in this example,content posted in the channel B-3 256 is not visible in the channel B-2254. Other threaded category-sensitive channels and other categorylevels are contemplated.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example user interface 300 for using acategory-sensitive chat channel, in accordance with various embodiments.In various embodiments, the user interface 300 may be accessed through asoftware application running on a computing device (e.g., computers,mobile phones, tablets, etc.) that includes one or more processors andmemory. For example, the user interface 300 may be accessible through aweb browser. In another example, the user interface 300 may be providedthrough a chat software application. In yet another example, the userinterface 300 may be provided as a service over a network (e.g.,software as a service). Depending on the computing device, the user maybe able to interact with the user interface 300 using various inputdevices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc.) and/or touch gestures. The userinterface 300 is provided merely as an example and, naturally, thearrangement and configuration of such user interfaces may vary dependingon the implementation. Thus, depending on the implementation, the userinterface 300 may include additional features and/or alternativefeatures.

The user interface 300 may include a banner region 302, a navigationregion 304, a content region 306, an information region 308, and/orother regions. The banner region 302 may display identifying informationrelating to a chat/chat channel, such as a title/topic/subject of thechat/channel and/or an applicable category level of the chat/chatchannel. The navigation region 304 may display information relatingnavigation of the chat/chat channel, such as number/identities of usersusing the chat/chat channel (Conversations), number/identities of usersof teams using the chat/chat channel (Teams), one or more feeds (e.g.,one way peering) into another chat/chat channel (Feeds), and/or otherinformation.

The content region 306 may display content posted within a chat channel.The content posted within the chat channel may be filtered based on thecategory level of the chat channel. For example, the content region 306may display content posted by a user A. The identity of the user thatposted the content may be indicated by a visual indicator 312, which mayinclude text referencing the user (e.g., user name/ID) and/or a visualidentifier corresponding to the user (e.g., icon, picture). The user Amay have provided for posting in the chat channel certain text, whichmay be filtered and/or displayed within the content region 306 as user Atext 314. The user A may have provided for posting in the chat channelan object, which may be filtered and/or displayed within the contentregion 306 as user A object 316. The user A object 316 may includeinformation with a portion A-1 322 classified as category level A and aportion A-2 324 classified as category level B. Based on the categorylevel of the chat channel, the portion A-1 322 and/or the portion A-2324 may be filtered (e.g., redacted) before the user A object 316 isposted in the chat channel. In some embodiments, a preview of the user Aobject 316 with relevant information redacted/highlighted may bepresented to the user A prior to the user A object 316 being posted inthe chat channel.

The user A may perform actions within the chat channel. For example, theuser A may interact with the user A object 316 to add, remove, and/ormodify a portion of the user A object 316 (e.g., the user A object 316may be a map and the user A may have added/removed/modified an object'slocation on the map). The user's action within the chat channel may bedescribed within the content region 306 (e.g., within user A action318).

An add new content region 320 may enable a user to enter information tobe posted in the chat channel. The add new content region 320 may enablea user to enter textual information, visual information, audioinformation, and/or other information. In some embodiments, the add newcontent region 320 may enable a user to mention/highlight/link objects,persons, maps, graphs, documents, and/or other features within a messagevia use of one or more symbols (e.g., use of @ before the identifier ofthe thing to be mentioned/highlighted/linked). In some embodiments,mentioning/highlighting/linking a feature within a message may prompt aview of the feature to be presented within the chat channel. Such mayenable a user to insert an object through textual commands. The view ofthe feature may be filtered based on the category level of the chatchannel. In some embodiments, a preview of the information to be postedin the chat channel may be provided within the add new content region320. The user may be prompted to confirm the posting of the information(e.g., via interaction with a confirmation button) before theinformation is posted to the chat channel.

The information region 308 may display information relating to contentposted within the chat channel. For example, the information region 308may display views, description, properties, objects, and/or otherinformation relating to a topic of the chat channel and/or a featureposted in the content region 306. For example, the topic of the chatchannel/a feature posted in the content region 306 may relate to anentity and the information region 308 may display information relatingto the entity (e.g., full name, address, phone number, identifiers,associated persons/objects, etc.). As another example, the topic of thechat channel/a feature posted in the content region 306 may relate to alocation and the information region 308 may display information relatingto the location (e.g., coordinates, locations of notablebuildings/activities within the location, map of the location,identifiers/links to objects on the map, etc.). Presentation of otherinformation within the information region 308 are contemplated.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 400, according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 may beimplemented in various environments including, for example, theenvironment 100 of FIG. 1 . The operations of method 400 presented beloware intended to be illustrative. Depending on the implementation, theexample method 400 may include additional, fewer, or alternative stepsperformed in various orders or in parallel. The example method 400 maybe implemented in various computing systems or devices including one ormore processors.

At block 402, a category-sensitive chat channel may be provided. Thecategory-sensitive chat channel may be assigned a given category level.The given category level may determine a scope of content allowed in thecategory-sensitive chat channel. At block 404, information to be postedthrough the category-sensitive chat channel may be obtained. At block406, the obtained information may be filtered based on the givencategory level. At block 408, the filtered information may be posted inthe category-sensitive chat channel.

Hardware Implementation

The techniques described herein are implemented by one or morespecial-purpose computing devices. The special-purpose computing devicesmay be hard-wired to perform the techniques, or may include circuitry ordigital electronic devices such as one or more application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)that are persistently programmed to perform the techniques, or mayinclude one or more hardware processors programmed to perform thetechniques pursuant to program instructions in firmware, memory, otherstorage, or a combination. Such special-purpose computing devices mayalso combine custom hard-wired logic, ASICs, or FPGAs with customprogramming to accomplish the techniques. The special-purpose computingdevices may be desktop computer systems, server computer systems,portable computer systems, handheld devices, networking devices or anyother device or combination of devices that incorporate hard-wiredand/or program logic to implement the techniques.

Computing device(s) are generally controlled and coordinated byoperating system software, such as iOS, Android, Chrome OS, Windows XP,Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server, Windows CE, Unix,Linux, SunOS, Solaris, iOS, Blackberry OS, VxWorks, or other compatibleoperating systems. In other embodiments, the computing device may becontrolled by a proprietary operating system. Conventional operatingsystems control and schedule computer processes for execution, performmemory management, provide file system, networking, I/O services, andprovide a user interface functionality, such as a graphical userinterface (“GUI”), among other things.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 500 uponwhich any of the embodiments described herein may be implemented. Thecomputer system 500 includes a bus 502 or other communication mechanismfor communicating information, one or more hardware processors 504coupled with bus 502 for processing information. Hardware processor(s)504 may be, for example, one or more general purpose microprocessors.

The computer system 500 also includes a main memory 506, such as arandom access memory (RAM), cache and/or other dynamic storage devices,coupled to bus 502 for storing information and instructions to beexecuted by processor 504. Main memory 506 also may be used for storingtemporary variables or other intermediate information during executionof instructions to be executed by processor 504. Such instructions, whenstored in storage media accessible to processor 504, render computersystem 500 into a special-purpose machine that is customized to performthe operations specified in the instructions.

The computer system 500 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 508 orother static storage device coupled to bus 502 for storing staticinformation and instructions for processor 504. A storage device 510,such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or USB thumb drive (Flash drive),etc., is provided and coupled to bus 502 for storing information andinstructions.

The computer system 500 may be coupled via bus 502 to a display 512,such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or LCD display (or touch screen), fordisplaying information to a computer user. An input device 514,including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 502 forcommunicating information and command selections to processor 504.Another type of user input device is cursor control 516, such as amouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating directioninformation and command selections to processor 504 and for controllingcursor movement on display 512. This input device typically has twodegrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis(e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane. Insome embodiments, the same direction information and command selectionsas cursor control may be implemented via receiving touches on a touchscreen without a cursor.

The computing system 500 may include a user interface module toimplement a GUI that may be stored in a mass storage device asexecutable software codes that are executed by the computing device(s).This and other modules may include, by way of example, components, suchas software components, object-oriented software components, classcomponents and task components, processes, functions, attributes,procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware,microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays,and variables.

In general, the word “module,” as used herein, refers to logic embodiedin hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions,possibly having entry and exit points, written in a programminglanguage, such as, for example, Java, C or C++. A software module may becompiled and linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamiclink library, or may be written in an interpreted programming languagesuch as, for example, BASIC, Perl, or Python. It will be appreciatedthat software modules may be callable from other modules or fromthemselves, and/or may be invoked in response to detected events orinterrupts. Software modules configured for execution on computingdevices may be provided on a computer readable medium, such as a compactdisc, digital video disc, flash drive, magnetic disc, or any othertangible medium, or as a digital download (and may be originally storedin a compressed or installable format that requires installation,decompression or decryption prior to execution). Such software code maybe stored, partially or fully, on a memory device of the executingcomputing device, for execution by the computing device. Softwareinstructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It will befurther appreciated that hardware modules may be comprised of connectedlogic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and/or may be comprised ofprogrammable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. Themodules or computing device functionality described herein arepreferably implemented as software modules, but may be represented inhardware or firmware. Generally, the modules described herein refer tological modules that may be combined with other modules or divided intosub-modules despite their physical organization or storage.

The computer system 500 may implement the techniques described hereinusing customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmwareand/or program logic which in combination with the computer systemcauses or programs computer system 500 to be a special-purpose machine.According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed bycomputer system 500 in response to processor(s) 504 executing one ormore sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 506.Such instructions may be read into main memory 506 from another storagemedium, such as storage device 510. Execution of the sequences ofinstructions contained in main memory 506 causes processor(s) 504 toperform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments,hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions.

The term “non-transitory media,” and similar terms, as used hereinrefers to any media that store data and/or instructions that cause amachine to operate in a specific fashion. Such non-transitory media maycomprise non-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile mediaincludes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device510. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 506.Common forms of non-transitory media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, orany other magnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical datastorage medium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, aPROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, any other memory chip orcartridge, and networked versions of the same.

Non-transitory media is distinct from but may be used in conjunctionwith transmission media. Transmission media participates in transferringinformation between non-transitory media. For example, transmissionmedia includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, includingthe wires that comprise bus 502. Transmission media can also take theform of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequencesof one or more instructions to processor 504 for execution. For example,the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk or solidstate drive of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 500 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitterto convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector canreceive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriatecircuitry can place the data on bus 502. Bus 502 carries the data tomain memory 506, from which processor 504 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions received by main memory 506 may retrievesand executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory506 may optionally be stored on storage device 510 either before orafter execution by processor 504.

The computer system 500 also includes a communication interface 518coupled to bus 502. Communication interface 518 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to one or more network links that are connectedto one or more local networks. For example, communication interface 518may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem,satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connectionto a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example,communication interface 518 may be a local area network (LAN) card toprovide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN (or WANcomponent to communicated with a WAN). Wireless links may also beimplemented. In any such implementation, communication interface 518sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals thatcarry digital data streams representing various types of information.

A network link typically provides data communication through one or morenetworks to other data devices. For example, a network link may providea connection through local network to a host computer or to dataequipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP inturn provides data communication services through the world wide packetdata communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet”.Local network and Internet both use electrical, electromagnetic oroptical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through thevarious networks and the signals on network link and throughcommunication interface 518, which carry the digital data to and fromcomputer system 500, are example forms of transmission media.

The computer system 500 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link and communicationinterface 518. In the Internet example, a server might transmit arequested code for an application program through the Internet, the ISP,the local network and the communication interface 518.

The received code may be executed by processor 504 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 510, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution.

Each of the processes, methods, and algorithms described in thepreceding sections may be embodied in, and fully or partially automatedby, code modules executed by one or more computer systems or computerprocessors comprising computer hardware. The processes and algorithmsmay be implemented partially or wholly in application-specificcircuitry.

The various features and processes described above may be usedindependently of one another, or may be combined in various ways. Allpossible combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall withinthe scope of this disclosure. In addition, certain method or processblocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods and processesdescribed herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, andthe blocks or states relating thereto can be performed in othersequences that are appropriate. For example, described blocks or statesmay be performed in an order other than that specifically disclosed, ormultiple blocks or states may be combined in a single block or state.The example blocks or states may be performed in serial, in parallel, orin some other manner. Blocks or states may be added to or removed fromthe disclosed example embodiments. The example systems and componentsdescribed herein may be configured differently than described. Forexample, elements may be added to, removed from, or rearranged comparedto the disclosed example embodiments.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Any process descriptions, elements, or blocks in the flow diagramsdescribed herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should beunderstood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions ofcode which include one or more executable instructions for implementingspecific logical functions or steps in the process. Alternateimplementations are included within the scope of the embodimentsdescribed herein in which elements or functions may be deleted, executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the above-described embodiments, the elements of which are to beunderstood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure. The foregoing description details certainembodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated, however, that nomatter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention can bepracticed in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted thatthe use of particular terminology when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including anyspecific characteristics of the features or aspects of the inventionwith which that terminology is associated. The scope of the inventionshould therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims andany equivalents thereof.

Engines, Components, and Logic

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, engines, or mechanisms. Engines may constitute eithersoftware engines (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium) orhardware engines. A “hardware engine” is a tangible unit capable ofperforming certain operations and may be configured or arranged in acertain physical manner. In various example embodiments, one or morecomputer systems (e.g., a standalone computer system, a client computersystem, or a server computer system) or one or more hardware engines ofa computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may beconfigured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) asa hardware engine that operates to perform certain operations asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, a hardware engine may be implemented mechanically,electronically, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, ahardware engine may include dedicated circuitry or logic that ispermanently configured to perform certain operations. For example, ahardware engine may be a special-purpose processor, such as aField-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC). A hardware engine may also includeprogrammable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configured bysoftware to perform certain operations. For example, a hardware enginemay include software executed by a general-purpose processor or otherprogrammable processor. Once configured by such software, hardwareengines become specific machines (or specific components of a machine)uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and are no longergeneral-purpose processors. It will be appreciated that the decision toimplement a hardware engine mechanically, in dedicated and permanentlyconfigured circuitry, or in temporarily configured circuitry (e.g.,configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the phrase “hardware engine” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. As used herein,“hardware-implemented engine” refers to a hardware engine. Consideringembodiments in which hardware engines are temporarily configured (e.g.,programmed), each of the hardware engines need not be configured orinstantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where a hardwareengine comprises a general-purpose processor configured by software tobecome a special-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware engines) at different times. Softwareaccordingly configures a particular processor or processors, forexample, to constitute a particular hardware engine at one instance oftime and to constitute a different hardware engine at a differentinstance of time.

Hardware engines can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware engines. Accordingly, the described hardwareengines may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiplehardware engines exist contemporaneously, communications may be achievedthrough signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses)between or among two or more of the hardware engines. In embodiments inwhich multiple hardware engines are configured or instantiated atdifferent times, communications between such hardware engines may beachieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of informationin memory structures to which the multiple hardware engines have access.For example, one hardware engine may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware engine may then, at a latertime, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware engines may also initiate communications with input oroutput devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented enginesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions describedherein. As used herein, “processor-implemented engine” refers to ahardware engine implemented using one or more processors.

Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors beingan example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations ofa method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented engines. Moreover, the one or more processors mayalso operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a“cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS).For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a groupof computers (as examples of machines including processors), with theseoperations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and viaone or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an Application ProgramInterface (API)).

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe processors, not only residing within a single machine, but deployedacross a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processorsor processor-implemented engines may be located in a single geographiclocation (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or aserver farm). In other example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented engines may be distributed across a number ofgeographic locations.

Language

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Although an overview of the subject matter has been described withreference to specific example embodiments, various modifications andchanges may be made to these embodiments without departing from thebroader scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Such embodimentsof the subject matter may be referred to herein, individually orcollectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and withoutintending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to anysingle disclosure or concept if more than one is, in fact, disclosed.

The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed.Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description,therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope ofvarious embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along withthe full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

It will be appreciated that an “engine,” “system,” “data store,” and/or“database” may comprise software, hardware, firmware, and/or circuitry.In one example, one or more software programs comprising instructionscapable of being executable by a processor may perform one or more ofthe functions of the engines, data stores, databases, or systemsdescribed herein. In another example, circuitry may perform the same orsimilar functions. Alternative embodiments may comprise more, less, orfunctionally equivalent engines, systems, data stores, or databases, andstill be within the scope of present embodiments. For example, thefunctionality of the various systems, engines, data stores, and/ordatabases may be combined or divided differently.

“Open source” software is defined herein to be source code that allowsdistribution as source code as well as compiled form, with awell-publicized and indexed means of obtaining the source, optionallywith a license that allows modifications and derived works.

The data stores described herein may be any suitable structure (e.g., anactive database, a relational database, a self-referential database, atable, a matrix, an array, a flat file, a documented-oriented storagesystem, a non-relational No-SQL system, and the like), and may becloud-based or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “or” may be construed in either an inclusive orexclusive sense. Moreover, plural instances may be provided forresources, operations, or structures described herein as a singleinstance. Additionally, boundaries between various resources,operations, engines, engines, and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in a context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within a scope of various embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In general, structures and functionality presentedas separate resources in the example configurations may be implementedas a combined structure or resource. Similarly, structures andfunctionality presented as a single resource may be implemented asseparate resources. These and other variations, modifications,additions, and improvements fall within a scope of embodiments of thepresent disclosure as represented by the appended claims. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood thatsuch detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combinedwith one or more features of any other embodiment.

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving an indication ofchat channels to be added; in response to receiving the indication,adding the chat channels, wherein the adding of the chat channelscomprises adding respective content to each chat channel, filtering thecontent based on the category level, and assigning each chat channel acategory level; receiving a search query corresponding to one or moreparticular chat channels; and selectively providing any matches to thesearch query based at least in part on a membership relationship or amembership status between a user or a client device and the one or moreparticular chat channels.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the one or more particular chat channels are categorized as afirst type of chat channel.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim1, wherein the matches to the search query comprise first matches, theparticular chat channels comprise first particular chat channelscategorized as a first type of chat channel, and thecomputer-implemented method further comprises: providing any secondmatches to the search query corresponding to second particular chatchannels categorized as a second type of chat channel based on acomparison between respective category levels of the second particularchat channels and an access restriction of the user or the clientdevice.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a change to a category level of a first particularchat channel, the change comprising changing an original category levelto a modified category level, wherein the modified category level,compared to the original category level, comprises at least one of ahigher security classification or a higher sensitivity classification;determining that an access restriction of the user or the client devicesatisfies the original category level but fails to satisfy the modifiedcategory level; and in response to receiving the change to the categorylevel, refraining from displaying the first particular chat channel as amatch or removing the first particular chat channel previously displayedas a match.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, furthercomprising: receiving an addition of a new chat channel having adifferent category level compared to the chat channels; and in responseto receiving the addition of the new chat channel, selectivelydisplaying the new chat channel as a match based on a comparison betweenthe different category level and an access restriction of the user orthe client device.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising: generating an interface comprising a first region, asecond region, and a third region, wherein the first region comprises atitle, a topic, or a subject of a chat channel, the second regioncomprises one or more feeds of the chat channel, and the third regioncomprises content posted within the chat channel.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the interface furthercomprises a fourth region, the fourth region comprising contextualinformation of an entity pertaining to a feature of the content.
 8. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising: tagging dataportions within the first content with security or sensitivityclassifications; and selectively redacting the first content based onthe tagged data portions.
 9. A system, comprising: at least one memorystoring computer-executable instructions; and at least one processorconfigured to access the at least one memory and execute thecomputer-executable instructions to perform: receiving an indication ofchat channels to be added; in response to receiving the indication,adding the chat channels, wherein the adding of the chat channelscomprises adding respective content to each chat channel, filtering thecontent based on the category level, and assigning each chat channel acategory level; receiving a search query corresponding to one or moreparticular chat channels; and selectively providing any matches to thesearch query based at least in part on a membership relationship or amembership status between a user or a client device and the one or moreparticular chat channels.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one ormore particular chat channels are categorized as a first type of chatchannel.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the matches to the searchquery comprise first matches, the particular chat channels comprisefirst particular chat channels categorized as a first type of chatchannel, and the at least one processor is configured to execute thecomputer-executable instructions to perform: providing any secondmatches to the search query corresponding to second particular chatchannels categorized as a second type of chat channel based on acomparison between respective category levels of the second particularchat channels and an access restriction of the user or the clientdevice.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to execute the computer-executable instructions to perform:receiving a change to a category level of a first particular chatchannel, the change comprising changing an original category level to amodified category level, wherein the modified category level, comparedto the original category level, comprises at least one of a highersecurity classification or a higher sensitivity classification;determining that an access restriction of the user or the client devicesatisfies the original category level but fails to satisfy the modifiedcategory level; and in response to receiving the change to the categorylevel, refraining from displaying the first particular chat channel as amatch or removing the first particular chat channel previously displayedas a match.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructionsto perform: receiving an addition of a new chat channel having adifferent category level compared to the chat channels; and in responseto receiving the addition of the new chat channel, selectivelydisplaying the new chat channel as a match based on a comparison betweenthe different category level and an access restriction of the user orthe client device.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least oneprocessor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructionsto perform: generating an interface comprising a first region, a secondregion, and a third region, wherein the first region comprises a title,a topic, or a subject of a chat channel, the second region comprises oneor more feeds of the chat channel, and the third region comprisescontent posted within the chat channel.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the interface further comprises a fourth region, the fourthregion comprising contextual information of an entity pertaining to afeature of the content.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at leastone processor is configured to execute the computer-executableinstructions to perform: tagging data portions within the first contentwith security or sensitivity classifications; and selectively redactingthe first content based on the tagged data portions.
 17. Anon-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that,when executed, cause one or more processors to perform: receiving anindication of chat channels to be added; in response to receiving theindication, adding the chat channels, wherein the adding of the chatchannels comprises adding respective content to each chat channel,filtering the content based on the category level, and assigning eachchat channel a category level; receiving a search query corresponding toone or more particular chat channels; and selectively providing anymatches to the search query based at least in part on a membershiprelationship or a membership status between a user or a client deviceand the one or more particular chat channels.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more particularchat channels are categorized as a first type of chat channel.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the matchesto the search query comprise first matches, the particular chat channelscomprise first particular chat channels categorized as a first type ofchat channel, and the instructions that, when executed, cause one ormore processors to perform: providing any second matches to the searchquery corresponding to second particular chat channels categorized as asecond type of chat channel based on a comparison between respectivecategory levels of the second particular chat channels and an accessrestriction of the user or the client device.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions that,when executed, cause one or more processors to perform: receiving achange to a category level of a first particular chat channel, thechange comprising changing an original category level to a modifiedcategory level, wherein the modified category level, compared to theoriginal category level, comprises at least one of a higher securityclassification or a higher sensitivity classification; determining thatan access restriction of the user or the client device satisfies theoriginal category level but fails to satisfy the modified categorylevel; and in response to receiving the change to the category level,refraining from displaying the first particular chat channel as a matchor removing the first particular chat channel previously displayed as amatch.